When I caught The final Cut a few weeks ago it was meant as a precursor to seeing this for the second time. When I saw this in the theatre I remember enjoying it quite a bit but had such high expectations that the experience was a bit underwhelming.
First of all, It is important to note it is a true miracle that this got made. The original film was not a huge success at the box office, and while…
For Review #200, an appreciation of one of my favourite films.
Who knows, one day at a play or concert, your life could be changed forever?
There is a saying Roger Ebert used to have, and its one of two laws of criticism I try to have: A film is not about what it is about, it is about HOW it is about it.
Even so, often great films have great subjects married to great artistry and that is the…
A little historical prelude:
Back in 1958, the Soviets decided to have an international competition for piano and violin. There was a large Russian history in music, of course, and the Soviets were also very interested in continuing this tradition. While there were a number of international competitors, it was assumed the Soviet musicians would prevail, both because of the famed Russian tradition of piano playing, but also because one of the goals of the whole thing was to show…
Ustinov had done this several times already but it must have seemed old-fashioned the day it came out. Despite being filmed on location with a game cast, the result is a bit tired.
We avoid our detective at the beginning for a prologue setting up the false will and inheritance which will be the engine for later events. We then get a Mediterranean boat trip where Poirot is sea-sick in a committed bit, even though it is not funny at…
Ah, time to join the stampede of Letterboxd reviews!
This is a big achievement that could only have come from Scorsese. Perfectly tailored for its cast, and a deeply personal film for its director. Is it self-indulgent? Certainly, but if you are sympathetic for the journey it goes on, you won’t mind. (That’s my way of saying I’m not sure how people can say the movie doesn’t feel long, it totally does, but it earns it by showing so much…
This my 100th Review here on Letterboxd
So I thought I would pause my somewhat random exploration of silent movies for something that was essentially guaranteed to be good.
It is interesting to compare this to the serial killer genre of the 90s (which Fincher memorably contributed to.) With the distance of a few years Fincher sees a new way of looking at the themes and story beats involved.
I think it is also fascinating to think of this in…
